Movie notes: Critics like ‘The Dictator’; did they have a choice?

Maybe — and I’m just speculating here — it’s because the title character threatened to treat them like his competitors in the 100-meter dash (check the trailer), but critics are already singing the praises of “The Dictator.”

Actually, that praise seems to be entirely uncoerced. Imagine that.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest outrageous comedy opens Wednesday, but reviews are popping up all over the place after the studio (Paramount) lifted its embargo on them last Friday, giving critics the green light. That’s an unusual move — critics are allowed to see most movies early only if they promise to keep their opinions to themselves until opening day. Apparently, the buzz on “The Dictator,” which debuted last Thursday in London, was positive enough that the studio wanted to get the word out.

The Tomatometer score is 69, based on 78 reviews. The consensus: “While perhaps not as outrageous as his unscripted ‘Borat,’ ‘The Dictator’ finds Sacha Baron Cohen in typically riotous, provocative form.”

The top critics aren’t quite as positive. In fact, they’re split down the middle, with 10 touts and 10 pans. Count Roger Ebert among the movie’s supporters. He writes:

“The Dictator” is funny, obscene, disgusting, scatological, vulgar and crude, and also
merciless political satire,” adding that it features “a great cameo from Megan Fox, who
shows up for sex but draws the line at an all-night cuddle.”

I mean, with Aladeen’s giant, tickly beard, who can blame her?

Best of all, it’s short. I mean, I loved “The Avengers,” but at two hours and 22 minutes, it was still a bit butt-numbing. “The Dictator” clocks in at 85 minutes, or about the length of a typical kiddie animated film.

Sayeth Ebert: “(Cohen) also wisely gets in, gets his laughs and quits. The movie, like ‘Bruno,’ falls short of 90 minutes, in an era when too many comedies run on relentlessly.”

(NOTE: Unlike most summer movies, “The Dictator” won’t have a ton of first-day midnight screenings. Regal’s Live Oak is the only San Antonio multiplex screening it at 12:01 a.m. tonight. Hopefully, Aladeen will not be displeased).